Epilogue
Alistair
March
Pam: Are you on your way? Everyone is here waiting.
Alistair: We just left. Chai couldn’t decide on an outfit.
Pam: See you soon
I set my phone in my lap and ran my clammy hands over my thighs. I was nervous, and not because of Chai’s driving.
We were on our way to Pam’s for dinner, and I was meeting her family for the first time tonight.
Remembering Pam’s favorite breathing technique, I took a deep breath and held it in for three seconds before letting it out on a long exhale.
I inhale peace and exhale worry.
I inhale peace and exhale worry.
“Dad, will you relax?” Chai said with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this worked up.”
I tugged at the collar of my flannel shirt and cracked the window, letting some fresh air flow into the car. “I’m trying! I just want this to go smoothly. You and Pam get along so well. I want her kids to like me.”
She laughed again and turned the car onto Pam’s street. “Well, you don’t have to worry about Tegan, and I’m sure Reece is going to like you. They just want their mom to be happy. Everything’s going to be fine.”
I looked over at her and smiled. “Thanks, kid.”
“You know I’ve always got your back.” She pulled into Pam’s car-lined driveway. “This is it. Ready?”
I nodded. “Let’s do this.”
We walked up the front steps, and before I could knock on the door, it flew open.
“Hi!” Pam said, beaming at us.
She was dressed in a cream-colored turtleneck—one that I was positive she’d knit herself—and jeans, looking just as beautiful as she always did.
“Hi, pretty lady.” I gave her a hug and a quick kiss. Being in her presence eased some of my anxiety, but there was still a knot in my stomach that wouldn’t loosen up until the introductions were done.
“Come on in,” Pam said, and we filed inside.
Remi greeted us, rubbing against my leg and holding his tail straight up.
“Hey, buddy.” I crouched to pet him while Pam and Chai hugged.
We hung up our coats and followed Pam down the hallway. Immediately, I noticed that she’d put up a new photo. The one of me, her, and Remi in our matching sweaters. The one I’d taken when she came to visit me.
It was my phone background, but I stopped for a second to admire our smiling faces and the way we were effortlessly posed. You could practically feel the joy radiating from us. It would have been a small thing to most people, but I was honored to have earned a place on her wall.
“Everyone,” Pam said when we stepped into the living room, “this is Alistair.”
Pam’s family was spread out on the couches, and all eyes snapped to me.
“Hi!” a carbon copy of Pam said, and gave me an enthusiastic wave.
Tegan.
If I didn’t know better, I would have assumed they were sisters.
She rushed over with Atlas in tow and wrapped me in a tight hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too. Your mom has told me so much about you.”
Atlas extended a giant paw and shook my hand in what could best be described as a death grip. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Reid.”
“Please, call me Alistair,” I said, flexing my hand to make sure my fingers were still intact.
His body swayed slightly with the slow wag of his tail. “I’ll do my best.”
They stepped aside, making space for Reece and his mate.
This was it.
I cleared my throat and extended a hand out to Reece. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
He looked me up and down for a second, with his mustache pursed over his lip, and then—was that a smile?
I felt all the tension whoosh out of my body.
“Nice to meet you, Al,” he said, and gave my hand a strong shake. “My mom has told me so many wonderful things about you. I’m glad the family finally got the chance to meet you.”
Well, that was a surprise.
He seemed delightful.
It was amazing what love and therapy could do.
His mate gave him a soft caress on the arm with his tentacle before extending a webbed hand to me. “Lovely to meet you, Alistair. I’m Cyrus, Reece’s mate.”
A seven-hundred-year-old kraken with a British accent.
Now that was something you’d read about in a romance novel.
I shook his hand and watched as his tentacle clenched his arm. “It’s great to meet you, Cyrus. Pam mentioned that you’re a vinyl aficionado, too.”
He nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, you’ll have to come over sometime and check out my collection.”
“I’d love that.”
Reece shoved his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “My mom tells me you’re quite the outdoorsman, Al. I think you’ll love it here in Briar Glenn. Plenty of parks and trails. Maybe all of us can get out for a hike once the weather warms up.”
I was dumbfounded.
Reece Rollins—my girlfriend’s supposedly grumpy son—had just invited me to go hiking.
“That would be great.”
Reece gave me a little nod of his head, and he and Cyrus went to join Atlas and Tegan.
Chai sidled up beside me and whispered, “See, that wasn’t so bad, now, was it?”
“It went a lot better than I expected it to go.”
“They know Pam loves you, Dad. And you know what? In time, they’ll love you, too. How could they not?”
She was going to make me cry.
“Come here, kid.” I hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head.
“Dad, you’re embarrassing me in front of my boss,” she hissed under her breath.
“Don’t care,” I said, squeezing her one more time before letting her go.
“All right,” Pam said, clapping her hands together. “Now that everyone’s met, I think it’s time to eat.”
All the kids filed toward the dining room, leaving Pam and me behind.
She put her hands on my waist and gazed up at me. “I told you everything was going to be fine.”
I leaned over, wrapped my hand around the nape of her neck, and pulled her close. “You did.”
“I love you,” she whispered, staring into my eyes.
“I love you, too.”
I pressed my lips to hers, kissing her once everyone was out of the room, like we were a couple of kids.